LASIK vs. iLASIK
There are a wide variety of LASIK eye surgery procedures available, so many in fact that many consumers are unaware of the differences among each technique. One of the newest LASIK procedures offered is iLASIK™ – an evolution of the standard LASIK procedure, iLASIK™ is an advanced treatment that produces superb results. The iLASIK™ procedure incorporates two innovative laser vision correction technologies in one treatment: the IntraLase® laser and custom LASIK systems such as VISX® CustomVue™ and LADARVision® CustomCornea®. By utilizing the latest technologies in the industry, the iLASIK™ procedure is able to minimize risks and provide unparalleled precision, making it particularly attractive to patients seeking the best in vision treatment.
If you suffer from vision impairment and are seeking a permanent solution to corrective lenses and eyeglasses, refractive surgery in the form of laser vision correction may be for you. The full range of refractive errors – nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism – can be treated through refractive surgery and the results of treatment can last a lifetime. To learn more about iLASIK™, or to schedule a consultation with a local doctor, please feel free to contact a qualified physician through our nationwide DocShop network.
Traditional LASIK
During the first step of the traditional LASIK procedure, the surgeon uses a precise surgical blade known as a microkeratome to create an incision in the outermost layers of the cornea (the clear part of the eye that covers the pupil and iris). The flap is lifted up and folded back, exposing inner corneal tissue. The surgeon then uses an excimer laser to manually sculpt down the cornea to a more ideal shape. This treatment is based on a generic prescription that corrects for lower-order aberrations such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Though effective, the results of LASIK can be limited due to the fact that the diagnosis of errors is completed manually through a standard vision evaluation. As such, patients can achieve vision correction results that are similar to those results offered by glasses and contacts through LASIK surgery, though in some cases results can be superior to that offered by corrective lenses.
Custom LASIK – The iLASIK™ Technique
Use of custom LASIK systems, as in iLASIK™, can improve the quality of vision. Custom LASIK systems employ use of Wavefront™, a technology that allows for the three-dimensional mapping of the eye. This map not only records lower-order aberrations, but higher-order aberrations as well, including those that cause starbursts, ghosting, halos, and glare. The unique Wavefront™ map of your eyes is then used to guide the excimer laser during the laser reshaping step of the iLASIK™ procedure for precise tissue ablation.
Because the iLASIK™ procedure involves use of both the IntraLase® laser and custom LASIK technology, it does cost more than traditional LASIK surgery. In general, traditional LASIK costs range between $500 and $1,000 per eye; however, iLASIK™ costs about $1,500 to $2,500 per eye on average.
IntraLase® Laser
The iLASIK™ procedure has distinct advantages over traditional LASIK. In addition to digital eye mapping, the iLASIK™ technique employs the use of an IntraLase® laser instead of a microkeratome for the creation of the corneal flap. The laser gives the surgeon better control of the flap diameter, depth, centration, and morphology, reducing the incidence of flap complications and side effects post-surgery.
Contact a Refractive Surgeon
If you are interested in undergoing a LASIK vision correction procedure such as iLASIK™ or LASIK, consult a surgeon in your area to see if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment. Making an informed decision regarding the health of your eye is important, and you should seek out the opinion and counsel of educated and experienced professionals.
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